Sunday, July 28, 2013
The Beginning of the Boat Launch
The state boat launch on Hudson's waterfront is one of the many things that figures into the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. The desire to move the boat launch from its central location just over the Ferry Street Bridge is the principal reason why the City needs to acquire the nine or so acres of waterfront land south of dock owned by Holcim, although not everyone is keen about the proposed location.
Gossips recently discovered two articles from the Albany Knickerbocker News on the subject of the Hudson boat launch. The first, which appeared on October 5, 1967, reports that a strike of the International Union of Operating Engineers is expected to delay the start of work on the boat launch. The article indicates the boat launch was expected to cost $334,000 and would be the largest in the state. It also reveals that the project was first proposed "during the first term of former mayor Samuel Wheeler," which would have been in 1962.
The second appeared on August 15, 1968, when the boat launch was being dedicated. Samuel Wheeler, then mayor once again, was looking forward to the next thing: "the development of fishing facilities."
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The above satellite photograph is instructive. It shows the previous 40-foot dock on the south side of the boat launch which the state plans on replacing next year. The old one was damaged in 2012.
ReplyDeleteBoaters need these docks to be able to use the ramp. For this year anyway, the 20-foot dock on the upriver side must serve the purpose.
In the photo you can see a 12-foot open boat - perhaps a tin boat - with its owner walking to his car and trailer. It's a perfect illustration of the critical function of this too-short dock.
The state depends on the city for smaller repairs and upkeep of the boat launch owing to an arrangement that seems not to be written anywhere.
Due to the recent efforts of choice Furgarians, the state is finally holding the city to this vague agreement. In the meantime the state is preparing a sign for the remaining 20-foot dock: "Please Do Not Leave Boats Unattended," etc.
As someone who opposes the proposed giant parking lot and marina on the land south of the port, I raised the issue with the state that there are those in city government who might have an interest in degrading the current state facility. Because upkeep of the state boat launch is the city's responsibility, the city's inaction may create enough of a mess to generate public support for the next plan.
And for actions, these are mostly the same politicians who propose more lawns on the vacant lot between Ferry Street and the Dunn's warehouse. Complimenting the city's negligence at the state boat launch, they propose more lawns when it's obvious we need the parking more than we need the grass.
If the above satellite photograph had included the vacant lot north of Dunn's, the situation could be grasped at a glance. When this GoogleEarth photo was taken the Dunn's lot was being used for overflow parking, just as it's used on many other weekends.
By creating a situation where there's ultimately nowhere else to turn for parking, the hope is that people will finally accept the botched LWRP that residents might otherwise want to take back.
Those who shallowly support another lawn next to the Dunn's warehouse are mindlessly increasing the likelihood of a giant parking lot south of the port. If more people were as "green" as they'd like to believe about themselves, they'd already know that the proposed giant facility will be immediately adjacent to a highly-sensitive ecological treasure.
It's almost a parody of The Politician: public safety neglected at a facility under their care while their limited attentions are spent on cheap promises of free grass. It's a win-win!
Of course we could always get new politicians, like those who'd support public involvement in the inevitable return to LWRP planning.
We shouldn't wait for prophets though; like the saying goes, "if the People lead," etc.
Two thirds of a million taxpayer dollars spent on the state launch and Rick's point and access is dependent on the (complacent)DPW.
ReplyDeleteNo grants are in the works and the city council has outlawed volunteer organizations from doing what the city will or can not do.
Cappy wants two new patrol cars and a fire truck. Perry wants two new dump trucks and new bridge. The council now tosses nickels arround like they're man hole covers. Question; how much is going to be budgeted for the waterfront next year?
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